{"id":"cognitive-load","title":"Cognitive load and instructional design","summary":"A theory for designing explanations, practice and presentation of material with attention to working-memory demands and prior knowledge.","concepts":["Prior knowledge: what learners can already process","Worked examples: support that shows the performance process","Unnecessary load: irrelevant information and split materials"],"application":"Provide explanations and examples for beginners, then increase independent problem solving as proficiency develops.","limitations":"Repeating beginner explanations for experienced learners may be less helpful. Simplifying material alone does not guarantee learning.","directions":["Explicit guidance: reduce processing demands during initial learning.","Independent performance: reduce support as knowledge develops and check application."],"category":"Education","kind":"theory","kind_label":"Theory","persona_ids":["teacher","instructional-designer","designer"],"revision":1,"updated_at":"2026-10-07T00:00:00.000Z","sources":[{"title":"Cognitive load theory in practice","url":"https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/education-data-and-research/cese/publications/practical-guides-for-educators-/cognitive-load-theory-in-practice","publisher":"NSW Department of Education · CESE","edition":"2018","region":"Classroom application guidance from NSW, Australia","checked_at":"2026-10-07","reuse":"Independent editorial summary and source link; the original text is not republished."}],"review":{"status":"source-checked-editorial","expert_reviewed":false},"editorial_note":"Editorial English translation of the Korean edition. No professional translation or occupational expert review has been completed. Translation does not change the source jurisdiction.","language":"en","translation":{"status":"current","source_language":"ko","source_version":"kb-80b616cb46ec8a0f","translated_at":"2026-10-09","professional_reviewed":false},"trust":"reference-data","version":"kb-d110032dd16c2def","links":{"document":"/en/knowledge/cognitive-load","markdown":"/en/knowledge/cognitive-load.md","api":"/api/v1/knowledge/cognitive-load?lang=en"}}